Knicks combo guard Shannon Brown played for Phil Jackson in Los Angeles for two seasons, winning a title with the Lakers in 2009-10. He knows every in and out of the triangle offense, but also knows every nuance to a book Jackson once presented to him by President Barack Obama, entitled “Dreams from My Father.’’
It is one of Jackson’s trademarks as the most-decorated NBA coach in history with 11 titles. And even if he’s not the head coach, he still plans to be handing out books in the Knicks locker room once his deal becomes official to be the major player in their front office. Jackson may even give J.R. Smith two books.
According to a league source, the Knicks and Jackson have reached an agreement in principle to oversee the team’s basketball operations and “president’’ will be in his title. ESPN.com reported Tuesday the deal won’t be announced until next week.
“He definitely gives books away, giving guys knowledge and memories of things that happened and where we can apply them to the basketball court,’’ Brown said. “He gave me one [with] Obama talking about how he grew up, where he came from, things he’d seen to be president of the United States. That one definitely helped me out a lot — me being from Chicago, the president being from the same place.
“The fact the coach gave it to me for a reason, I’m on the team for a reason, trying to win a championship,’’ added Brown, whom the Knicks signed after buying out Beno Udrih. “You do it to be a part of what’s going on. Every book he’s given out, he’s read. He might ask you questions about it. He doesn’t just give you a random book like Dr. Seuss.’’
Brown thinks Jackson will easily make the slide to the front office.
“If he did come this way,He’s got a lot of knowledge about the game of basketball and players and how to win,’’ Brown said. “That’s one of things he’ll bring. He’s got 11 championships. You can’t beat that.’’
Jackson will have plenty of front-office support around him, including Garden president Steve Mills. But Brown thinks Jackson doesn’t need a whole lot of voices in his ear.
“I just think he wouldn’t want too much outside input,’’ Brown said. “He’s one of those guys he likes to study by himself. He doesn’t need too many voices in his head disrupting his thoughts. I definitely think he can help the franchise a lot.’’
How that style will work in the corporate world of the Garden remains to be seen. But Brown loves Jackson’s coaching style.
“[He’s] real laid back,” Brown said. “Told me go out there and play basketball. Every other coach was like: Don’t to that, don’t do this, don’t do that. I appreciate that. He has a formula and it’s worked from the East Coast to the West Coast. ‘’
It is uncertain if Jackson will bring the triangle to the Knicks.
“Once you know the intricate parts of it, it becomes second nature,’’ Brown said. “Defending it, you can’t take away every option. Learning it, you got to know all the options.’’